“You purposely moved here?” is the question I get from a lot of Rochester natives when I tell them of my move here roughly eight years ago.

At that time I had finished my degree, had no job, no prospect of a job and no money. What I did have was a love for Rochester. I had visited the area years before when I visited a friend who attended SUNY Brockport.

When I would drive around Monroe County I really liked what I saw. I liked the fact that you could be in the city at one point and fifteen minutes later in the country. You could be at the canal in Fairport one minute and the suburbs of Greece the next. But what I really liked? What I really liked was the energy and the feeling of opportunity that Rochester had to offer.

I had lived in a few other cities, some major ones, but no where else did I feel the raw energy of people who took pride in their home. People that were kind, helpful and warm throughout. It may seem silly or romanticized but it’s true. When I visited and ultimately would get lost going from one place to another people took their time to ask where I was from and give me advice on directions to go and places to see. They really wanted to sell their town and they did a great job doing it.

Even though it is the “cool” thing to do to complain about the place you are from, I have picked up on the fact that folks in Rochester, even the ones that complain, don’t truly feel that way. They realize they are part of and contribute to the fabric that weaves together this tight knit community.

Having been an outsider that moved in, I had the unique vantage point of watching the way residents of Rochester went about their daily business and pick up on the vibes of where Rochester was headed.

What I have found most fascinating is the Young Professionals movement in the area. It was in existence upon my arrival, however, in my opinion, it has really begun to take off over the past few years. Right now there is a real energy with young professionals in the area coming to the epiphany that they are the future of this great town, that they are the contributors to steering where we are headed and are leading the way into tomorrow.

With the dawning of a new decade just a few days ago, who knows what the future brings. However, with that, comes the excitement and opportunity to build, grow and develop our city and ourselves in the direction we would like to head towards.

If this sounds like a love letter to Rochester, that’s because, in a way, it probably is. Rochester is my adopted home, I do have a love for it, the people instilled in me their pride for it and that, my fellow citizens, is why I purposely moved here.

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The Rochester's Young Professionals blog is the place to look for the latest updates on the young professionals scene in Rochester, from career advice to networking events.

Contributors

Kate McGowan is a former Rochester television news reporter now working in the non-profit sector for the nation’s leading children’s charity, Make-A-Wish. She is passionate about inspiring young professionals to use their talents in becoming more actively involved in their communities. Follow her on Twitter at @KateMcGowan

Toni Lynn Arena: I am a digital media specialist by day and a fitness loving, animal activist by night. When I'm not working on self-improvement inside and out, I work with other philanthropists to build awareness within the young professional community and help make a difference.

Andrea Raethka earned a bachelor's in History, Sociology and Women's Studies from the College of Brockport. She is a mother of three young children and is always up for exploring new places for kiddie play dates. She enjoys good food, local shopping and keeping up to date on news, politics and public school issues. Find Andrea on Twitter: @Mango1531.

Ashley Dewey is an internet marketing blogger from Victor who shares thoughts about life and pets.

Audrey Burns is a reader, writer and full-time nostalgist who writes about cultural and social issues in Rochester.

Cynthia Pacia shares thoughts about giving and living in the Rochester area.

Eastman Young Professionals share the latest happenings at George Eastman House.

Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals share life and non-profit experiences, and their journey within Rochester’s changing landscape.

Jason Schwingle is a native of Rochester. He shares his thoughts and ideas on bringing young professionals back to Rochester and to downtown.

Jenna Kempie is the Social Media Chair for the Rochester Young Professionals, and is contributing posts on RYP activities and other helpful insights for young professionals in the community. Jenna enjoys getting out and exploring the area, and talking to people about their Rochester experiences, print and technology - on and offline. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaKempie

Jennifer Galvez Caton is an active arts volunteer who shares her passion and perspective on theater, film, dance and music with young professionals in the Rochester area.

Jerome Nathaniel is a 2011 graduate of the University of Rochester, where he was an executive editor for the Campus Times and a service fellow with the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. Now, the Brooklyn native has returned to Rochester as an Americorp Vista at Foodlink, where he's serving as a hunger advocate.

Kayleigh Nutting is a non-profit professional that came to Rochester for college and never left. She is a graduate student and works full time planning special events and fundraising. Follow her as she writes about kicking back, giving back and appreciating the Flower City.

Kristine Caronna, a young professional blogger from Greece, shares her thoughts and updates.

Leah Shearer is a young professional and two-time cancer survivor from Rochester. She shares her unique perspective on all things - the serious, the silly and everything in between.

Luticha Doucette is a student researcher, activist and humanist who sees the world from a seated position. She chronicles life as a disable person seeking a PhD. position in biophysics at Yale or John Hopkins universities, and beyond.

Maria Thomas is the chair of RocCity Coalition, who is passionate about education and the needs of city youth. She writes about various opportunities for young professionals to get involved in the community.

Olga Podzorov is an agent with Nothnagle Realtors. She is a community activist and passionate philanthropist who is committed to working with young professionals. She covers a variety of real estate issues.

Ruth Harper-Rhode, a St. Bonaventure University graduate, does public relations for a local nonprofit. She moved to Rochester from a small city in 2011 and lived on Park Ave before moving to Penfield, where she currently resides.

Terra Keller sends updates from the staff at Foodlink, a popular regional food bank.

Stefanie Schwingle is a Rochester native and has worked at Wegmans Corporation for the past 10 years, but her interests lie in entrepreneurship and communication and her passions include urban living, photography, and cooking. Stefanie lives downtown with her husband and loves everyday life in the city.

Taren Greenidge earned her B.A. in Economics and Political Science, cum laude, in 2007 from Spelman College and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 2010. She is an associate at Littler Mendelson, P.C, a U.S.-based international law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in every aspect of labor and employment law. Taren is the president of the Black Young Professionals of Rochester, an auxiliary of the Urban League of Rochester, N.Y., Inc., which targets individuals ages 21 through 40 to foster growth and professional development, to empower members to achieve success and to strive to improve the community.